Measuring dispenser for medicine dropper



y 27, 1953 J. c. CHENETTE 2,836,329

MEASURING DISPENSER FOR MEDICINE DROPPER Filed Nov. 26, 1956 INVENTOR. JOSEPH C..-CHENETTE,

F'ica.5. BY%M' 6%,

ATTORNEY MEASURING DifiPEN ER FOR MEDICINE DRliPPER Joseph C. Cheuette, West Hollywood, Fla.

Application November 26, 1956, Serial No. 624,397

6 Claims. (@l. 222-267) This invention relates to an improvement in a measuring: dispensing device such as a medicine dropper and whereby to dispense a selected number of drops.

The prime purpose of this invention is to provide a medicine dropper having a flexible bulb that is constructed in a manner whereby to dispense by compression one drop or the equivment of multiple drops in accordance. with the control features of the bulb.

The invention contemplates a molded flexible bulb that is connected to a conventional glass r plastic tubular dropper and with the molded bulb being provided with a plurality of individual compressible members whereby the operator can dispense either one drop or multiple drops by compressing either one or a plurality of the compressible members in accordance with the required quantity of medication to be dispensed.

. The invention contemplates a compressible flexible bulb device that is molded to provide a pair of parallel flat wall sections that are molded to provide oppositely extending cylindrical compressible bulbs whereby a person may compress one or more of the bulb members to create a suction whereby to cause a predetermined amount of medication to be drawn inwardly through the discharge end of the conventional tubular medicine dropper to be dispensed afterward by compressing the corresponding bulb member or any one of the bulb members within the group. Or, all of the bulb members may be simultaneously compressed to cause a maximum quantity of medication to be drawn into the tubular dropper and then progressively dispensed in accordance with thenumber of drops required.

Novel features of construction and operation of the device will be more clearly apparent during the course of the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. wherein has been illustrated the preferred forms of the device and wherein like characters ofreference are employed to denotelike parts throughout the several figures.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a medicine dropper showing the invention applied thereto,

Figure 2 is a view at right angle to Figure 1,

Figure 3 is an enlarged horizontal section taken substantially on line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section taken substantially on line 4-4 of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 5-5 of Figure 2, and

Figure 6 is a plan view of the slightly modified form of the device.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the numeral 5 designates a conventional tubular medicine dropper having a restricted intake and discharge end 6. The dropper 5 at its opposite end is provided with a circumferential flange 7, as is customary, and whereby to form the connecting means for the compressible dispensing device.

The bulb of the present invention is indicated as a whole by the numeral 8 and is molded in any desirable 2,835,329 Patented May 27, 1958 Lia" manner from rubber or plastic capable of being compressed by the fingers of the operator. The bulb 8 embodies a pair of fiat parallel side walls 9 that may either be in contacting relation or slightly spaced apart as may be found desirable. The side walls 9 are connected throughout their periphery to form a chamber ill. The side walls 9 at one end of the device are flared outwardly to form a cylindrical hub portion 11 that is cylindrically recessed at 12 for the insertion of the dropper 5 and its flange 7, the hub 11 is provided with an inwardly disposed inner circumferential groove 13 for the reception of the flange 7. The cylindrical opening 12 communicates with the chamber 10. Molded into the side walls 9 are a plurality of oppositely extending semi-cylindrical protuberances 14 and with the hollow protuberances of the side opposite side walls jointly forming a plurality of spherical cavities 15 and with the protuberances on the opposite side walls being in mating relation and whereby to form a plurality of individual compressible bulbs that are spaced apart a sutficient distance with respect to each other whereby one or more of the bulbs may be compressed by the ingers of the operator.

In the use of the device, when a single drop of medication is desired, the operator may compress one pair of mating protuberances, creating a suction that will draw into the dropper 5 a corresponding amount of medication when the device is inserted into a body of the medication to be dispensed. Then, by again compressing one mating pair of protuberances, a single drop of medication will be dispensed from the discharge end of the dropper 5. There has been illustrated 5 groups of protuberances, for purpose of illustration and it will be apparent, that if two drops are desired, then two of the protuberances are compressed, causing the intake of substantially two drops of the medication. Where two or more drops of medication are desired, the desired number of protuberances are compressed for the intake of the particular number of drops desired and dispensed in a corresponding manner. If the operator so desires, all of the protuberances may be compressed simultaneously, causing an accurate intake of five drops of fluid medication. Either the five drops may be dispensed at one time by compressing all of the protuberances or the operator may measure one or two drops at a time by compressing one or more of the pro tuberances in accordance with the rate of discharge necessary. The several bulb-like protuberances accurately measures the individual drops or a quantity equivalent to multiple drops and is accurately controlled by the operator in compressing the required number of the protuberances. The device thus provides a buib body'having a plurality of individually controllable bulb members whereby measured quantities of m dication may be drawn into the dropper body 5 and dispensed in accordance with the required application of the medication.

The device is particularly desirable in cases who physician may prescribe a certain number i drops to ticular condition and the device thus provides a very positive measuring means whereby the user may aocurately follow the physicians instructions. The device can also be compressed bodily edgewise for a maximum intake of medication to be dispensed either in its entirety by a corresponding compression or the individual bulbs may serve to control the discharge, in drops.

It will therefore be apparent that a very novel and simple means has been provided whereby to accurately control the intake and discharge of a fiuid medication from the conventional tubular medicine dropper. device is accurate and avoids the use of skill by an individual employing the old and well known tubular bulb heretofor employed with medicine droppers. The

device is molded in a manner to permit its application The . trolling the individual drop 9 V a. to the conventional tubular medicine droppers heretofor employed and presents a very accurate means for conparticular application.

In Figure 6, there has been illustrated a modified form of the device that also employs a tubular hub portion 16 for connection with the medicine dropper The hub portion 16 is also extendedto form the fiat side walls 17 having the semi-spherical protuberances 18, corresponding in construction to that previously de scribed. The hub'portion 16 is also provided with an integral stopper 19 whereby the device: may be .asscw ciated with a bottle or other receptacle as the closure means therefor. The proturbances 18 are arranged "in circular form for possible convenience in the selection.

of one or more of the proturbances to' be compressed. The operation of this form of the invention is substantially identical to that previously described.

It is also pointed out that the device is particularly advantageous for use by persons that are blind or also persons who may desire to use the device at night without the necessity of turning on lights and may readily determine with the fingers a particular protuberance or protuberances necessary to compress in order to dispense the desired volume of fluid from the tube.

1 ltis to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement shown, but that changes are contemplated as readily fall within the spirit of the invention as shall be determined by the scope of the sub; joined claims. p

Having described my invention, what I claim as-new and desire to secure by Letters Patent isz ,1. A feed and measuring bulb device for medicine droppers, the bulb device being flexible and compres-' sible, the bulb including a pair of closely adjacent flat opposed. wall sections whereby to define a relatively shallow fiat Walled main chamber, the bulbbeing pro- 'vided with a cylindrical and tubular hub portion forconnection to one end of a tubular medicine dropper, the

fiat wall sections each being provided with a plurality of spaced apart hollow semi-spherical protuberances and with the protuberances of the opposed wall sections being in opposed relation whereby each pair of protuberances jointly form spherical chambers that are compressible either individually or collectively to control a predetermined amountfof fluid to enter or be ejected from the medicine dropper, each of the'hollow protuberances communicating with the main chamber. 7

2. The structure according to claim hwherein the wall sections and the hub are integrally molded wherebyto define the main chamber, the opposed wall sections and their protuberances, being identically formed and whereby the protuberances project outwardly from op- .posite sides'and with the semi-spherical protuberances V of each side wall being in axial alignment and whereby or drops necessary for a the spherical chambers formedby the protuberances may be collapsed for controlling the inlet or discharge of medication to and from the dropper.

3. The structure according to claim' 1, whereinj th several protuberances forming the spherical chambers are arranged in staggered relation and spaced apart a distance'to permit the collapsing of any individual spher-- ical chamber and also arranged whereby all of the. chambers may be simultaneously collapsed by. a thumb and forefinger of the user.

4. The structure according hub portion is extended and shaped to ,form a closure flaring outwardly at one end to terminate inan open.

cylindrical hub for connection with the delivery tube,

V the hub also communicating with the. main chamber,

each ofthe side walls being molded in a manner to 1 forma plurality of outwardly directed semi-spherical hollow protuberances and with'the protuberances of the opposite side walls being in opposed mating relation and whereby each pair of opposed protuberances jointlyiform.

aspherical auxiliary chamber and with the severalaurriliary chambers communicating with the'main' chamber and the hub, the several'protuberances being so. spaced as to permit the collapsingof any selected auxiliary chamber era combination thereof for the intake or discharge Y of a predetermined number of drops of the -fluid, the

bulb being bodily compressible edgewise for a maximum intake and discharge of the fluid from the delivery tube.

6. A feed and measuring bulb device for medicine droppers, thebulb device being fiexiblerand compressible, the bulb including a pair of flat closely-adjacent I and opposed wall sections whereby to define a main chamber, the bulb being provided with a cylindrical and tubular hub portion for connection to one end of a' tubular medicine dropper, each ofjthe flat side walls being provided with at least one semi-spherical protuberance and with the protuberances of the opposed wall sections being in opposed relation whereby to forma spherical chamber that communicates with the main chamber, the protuberances being jointly compressible to control a predetermined measured quantity of'fluid to enter. or

be ejected from the medicine dropper. p

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Birrell Feb. 16, 1932 Wolman Dec. 25, 19 51 to claim 1, wherein the 

